Abstract
Blastocysts were collected from the uteri of ‘normal’ and ‘delayed implanting’ mice and incubated with either Brinster’s medium containing 3H uridine, or the same medium mixed with material flushed from the uteri of ‘implanting’ or ‘delayed implanting’ animals. The rate of embryonic RNA synthesis was estimated from the incorporation of 3H uridine by the embryos in vitro. RNA synthesis by normal embryos incubated in Brinster’s medium was linear for at least 6 h. RNA synthesis by delayed implanting embryos in Brinster’s medium was initially low and increased to the level of normal embryos by the fourth hour in vitro. In contrast, RNA synthesis was low in both types of embryos incubated in medium containing uterine flushings; material from the uteri of ‘implanting’ animals was as effective an inhibitor of RNA synthesis as that from ‘delayed implanting’ animals. The apparent inhibitory activity is dialyzable and heat resistant. It is not known whether or not the inhibitory effect of uterine flushings on embryonic RNA synthesis found in vitro has any significance in vivo.

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